11个千码赛季后转投49人，埃文斯承认揭幕战“多了点劲”

MELBOURNE, Australia — Mike Evans was trying to downplay it, and he even started muttering the old cliché about how every game is important. But then he stopped himself. “It’s in Australia … the first game of the season … my first game with this team … division opponent,” the 49ers receiver reminded himself. “Yeah, I guess there is a little bit extra juice. For sure.” With all the talk surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ trading for pass rusher deluxe Myles Garrett and bringing Aaron Donald out of retirement, 49ers players clear their throats when talking about the signing of Evans, who had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “You can’t put a cornerback on him one-on-one, so that will open things up for everyone else on our offense,” tight end George Kittle said. The 6-foot-5 Evans is the first true X receiver coach Kyle Shanahan has had since his days with Julio Jones winning one-on-one matchups in Atlanta. “He’s a stud,” Shanahan said before Wednesday’s practice. Quarterback Brock Purdy and left tackle Trent Williams were also giddy about the acquisition of the likely Hall of Famer, and he has not disappointed. “He’s a gold-jacket player, and it’s kind of what you expect,” Williams said. “We ain’t seen nothing less whenever he’s been on the field. It’s been cool having him around — just another veteran presence, another guy that’s a household name, done this for a long, long time at a very high level. “Just having him around for this young locker room has been valuable.” Evans has taken De’Zhaun Stribling under his wing and has been impressed every step of the way as the rookie has taken on a larger role after Ricky Pearsall needed season-ending surgery. “He’s gonna be a great player, and he’s gonna help us out a lot this year,” Evans said. “He’s the ultimate playmaker. He’s physical, he’s tough, has great hands, and he’s very smart. And he’s low maintenance.” Evans, 33, prides himself on being low maintenance, though he laughed that it may not have always been the case when he was younger. He wanted to play for a Super Bowl contender, left home and took less money to do so, and hasn’t looked back. Walking into the 49ers locker room, with its many veteran leaders, Evans has fit right in. “There are a lot of voices, and they lead by example,” Evans said. “I am happy to add my experience to that.” “I had to feel everybody out and then say, ‘This is me,’ but everybody has been very accepting and very positive. It’s been a cool transition.” Evans said the team has a lot of confidence after a “super competitive training camp.” He missed some time with groin and quad injuries but said he wasn’t concerned and wouldn’t have missed any games if it were the regular season. “The training staff and I have a good rapport,” Evans said. “I know I am an older player. I probably …”